The boat itself is a beautifully appointed vessel with comfortable seating for nine, a proper toilet with wash basin, a decent galley with built in fridge.

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Freedom from Fuel – Sienna 19 Powered by the Sun

That’s one of the key advantages of the new Sienna electric boat from Scruffie Marine. The boat, a first for Australia, not only offers up to two hours per day at five knots free cruising but is built to exacting commercial standards and incorporates the latest in 21st Century engineering.

Let’s start with the array of super lightweight solar panels on the canopy. A mere 2 mm thick they generate a steady stream of reliable power – enough to power the 5.8 meter craft at five knots for over two hours per day – that’s over twelve hours a week!

Then there’s the state of the art lithium batteries stowed under the cockpit floor. They pack enough power to run her flat out for a staggering six hours or cruise at four knots for twelve. More if the sun shines!

Then there’s the Torqeedo Cruise 2 – a beautifully engineered motor tucked away in its own sound proofed bay. So the electric propulsion is whisper quiet – only the chuckle of water at the bow can disturb your day out.

The boat itself is a beautifully appointed vessel with comfortable seating for nine, a proper toilet with wash basin, a decent galley with built in fridge. The drop down screens protect you from wind and rain and you can even overnight on board. The trim is lustrous Queensland Red Cedar – lots of it.

The skipper sits behind a proper ship’s wheel while the passengers lounge on comfortable seats aft. What more could you want? A comprehensive lighting system? Yes! Low maintenance new generation fibreglass build? Yes! Trailerable? Of course! Back up generator? A Honda EU10i. Safety features? All that’s required and more – lots of foam-filled compartments, inherent stability and a good traditional seaworthy hull-form to name but a few.

So what’s left to consider then? Well for the designer the style is vitally important. With nods to old river ferries and tugs, Art Deco styling cues, the rounded bow coaming, the hand crafted fit-out, well you’d better see her for yourself at Sanctuary Cove.